Wounded and nearing collapse,, Tholandi finally finds uneasy rest in the cool shelter of the caves. Faedra and Kremlev push deeper into the tunnels but risk being left in total darkness as their torch light begins to splutter. Kaia's hunger and concern for the families inspires her to action, and with Kremlev's help a simple plan spirals into confusion and sharp words amongst the party.

In this episode of Who’s on First Watch, our Daggerheart actual-play campaign continues in the grim-dark world of Hammanaroth.

Tholandi pursues a fleeing Dosmoyran scout in a desperate forest chase, only to be spotted by a larger detachment of soldiers. Bjorn stands guard at the cave entrance, uncertain of his companion’s fate, while inside the cavern tension rises between the sisters and Faedra and Kremlev explore deeper into the cave system.

Will the party survive the encroaching Dosmoyran soldiers — or awaken something far worse in the dark?

With a Dosmoyran detachment closing in, the party abandons the safety of the farm and disappears into the forest, hoping the trees will hide what the open road cannot.

But the wilds are no refuge for long.

As tension mounts and nerves fray, two Dosmoyran scouts strike from the shadows, forcing the party into a sudden, violent confrontation with no time to prepare — and no clear way out.

Will they silence the scouts before word can be carried back… or will this encounter be the spark that brings the full weight of the detachment down upon them?

With danger closing fast, the party scatters the camp into the forest as mounted troops ride into the farmstead. Troops start to search the area forcing the group to move before the net tightens. Tholandi leads the group toward the caves they discovered in the hope they will provide refuge—an uncertain path born of desperation.

Content Warning - descriptions of killing a Donkey for food

More weary travelers reach the farmstead, drawn by rumor, desperation, and the faint promise of safety. Hard negotiations follow, trust is tested, and survival demands creativity as Bjorn commits to an unlikely food source and Kremlev turns fire, smoke, and scarce ingredients into something meant to keep hope alive. As a smokehouse is raised and flames crackle into the night, a fragile calm settles—until fresh figures appear on the road. With smoke rising into a war-torn sky, has the farmstead just signaled its survival… or painted a target? Will those approaching be friends, enemies or something far worse?

Strangers arrive on the road seeking shelter, and the camp must decide who is welcomed and who is watched. Old bonds resurface as familiar faces emerge from the chaos of war, even as absence weighs heavier than any blade. With supplies running dangerously low and a strange collapse revealing what lies beneath the land, Faedra is forced to confront a truth she cannot change—and say goodbye without answers. In a world shaped by conflict, survival demands trust, caution, and the strength to let go.

An ambush shatters the calm around Elna’s cart, forcing the group into a brutal fight and a desperate hunt through the forest. A chilling scream from Faedra hints at deeper powers, and the cost of letting anyone escape grows painfully clear. As the camp regathers, new travelers emerge on the road.

What happens when strangers seeking shelter become bound by war’s cruel design?

In this opening chapter of Whosonfirstwatch, a Daggerheart actual-play podcast, the fog of battle settles over a forgotten farmstead in Hammanaroth. As soldiers, traders, and wanderers collide, uneasy alliances form and trust becomes a rare commodity. Between the flicker of firelight and the distant thunder of war, the characters’ first choices begin to shape their fates.

Immerse yourself in a world of dark fantasy, desperate survival, and moral reckoning—where even hope comes at a cost. Listen now and explore more at www.whosonfirstwatch.com or www.heartofdaggers.com.